Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Cancer Prevention Behaviors among LGBTQI + Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and cervical cancer screening rates are suboptimal in the US, particularly among historically underserved groups like Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+)-identifying women and transgender men. Therefore, our cross-sectional study assessed factors associated with these rates among LGBTQI+-identifying women and transgender men.HPV-related cancer knowledge, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening status, and the acceptability of self-collection for screening of 1983 LGBTQI+-identifying women and transgender men was assessed via an online survey available to members of the HER mobile app from March to May 2022. Associations between sociodemographic factors, vaccination, and screening were assessed using multivariable logistic regressions from November 2022 to December 2023.Most participants aged 18-26 (77.0%) and 6.3% of participants aged ≥46 (P < 0.001) had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine. Cervical cancer screening rates were positively associated with age: 70.5% of those aged 21-26 and 96.1% aged ≥46 (P < 0.001). Screening was negatively associated with male gender identity (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.42; P < 0.001), being uninsured (OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.24-0.67; P < 0.001), and being unvaccinated against HPV (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.18-0.43; P < 0.001). 29.6% of those unscreened believed screening was not needed, and 22.1% were uncomfortable with pelvic exams. 40.4% of all participants would prefer self-collection for screening. Our findings indicate opportunities to increase screening and vaccination. Among under-screened individuals, lack of knowledge about screening necessity and discomfort with pelvic exams were important barriers. Targeted interventions addressing patient knowledge, practitioner communication, and exploring self-screening strategies are warranted.

Health Care Provider Willingness to Recommend Self-collected Tests for Human Papillomavirus: A Mixed Methods Examination of Associated Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer disproportionately affects those who are underscreened. Human papillomavirus self-collection is a promising tool to expand screening. OBJECTIVE: Study objectives were to examine 1) factors (provider characteristics and practice type) associated with and 2) attitudes (perceived benefits and concerns) toward using human papillomavirus self-collection for cervical cancer screening in clinical practice. METHODS: This study had a mixed method design; prior to regulatory approval of self-collection, we conducted a national survey and interviews of health care providers who perform cervical cancer screening. Quantitative measures included provider and practice characteristics, willingness to recommend, and preferences related to self-collection. Qualitative interviews further elucidated provider perspectives. RESULTS: A total of 1,251 providers completed surveys, and 56 completed interviews. Among survey respondents, 33.4% reported they were likely to offer self-collection, 28.6% were unsure, and 38.0% reported they were unlikely. Most would offer self-collection either in the clinic or at home per patient preference. Male participants, advanced practice providers, internal and family physicians, and those practicing in academic medical center, hospital, or community health settings were more likely than female participants, obstetrician-gynecologist physicians, and those in private practice to indicate they were likely to offer self-collection. Concerns expressed in both surveys and interviews included the adequacy of sample collection and the ability to follow up. Respondents felt that self-collection would be particularly beneficial for those who did not have access to clinician-collected screening, as well as for patients who may have difficulty with pelvic examinations for any reason. CONCLUSION: Providers considered human papillomavirus self-collection to be a way to expand access for patients with health care barriers and pelvic examination difficulties. They had concerns related to sample adequacy and follow-up after abnormal results.

Attitudes towards Telemedicine among Pregnant People and Parents of Toddlers in an Urban Safety-net Setting.

OBJECTIVE: To understand attitudes towards telemedicine and to further elucidate benefits, disadvantages, and visit preferences in a largely minority, urban safety-net setting. METHODS: Between 2020 and 2021, pregnant people, and parents of children younger than two years old were recruited from outpatient clinics. Interviews were conducted via phone, recorded, transcribed, and translated. Data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Seventy-four (74) individuals participated including 42 pregnant people and 32 parents. Most participants cited advantages to telemedicine including safety, convenience, improved access, and less disruption of work schedules, and wished to continue to have the telemedicine option available after the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Patients seeking care in safety-net settings, many of whom are working parents, noted that telemedicine improves access to care by providing an efficient and accessible option that overcomes barriers related to transportation and work schedules. Their experiences highlight the importance of continuing to offer telemedicine services.

Recommendations for Use of p16/Ki67 Dual Stain for Management of Individuals Testing Positive for Human Papillomavirus.

OBJECTIVES: The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines Committee developed recommendations for dual stain (DS) testing with CINtec PLUS Cytology for use of DS to triage high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive results. METHODS: Risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse were calculated according to DS results among individuals testing HPV-positive using data from the Kaiser Permanente Northern California cohort and the STudying Risk to Improve DisparitiES study in Mississippi. Management recommendations were based on clinical action thresholds developed for the 2019 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines. Resource usage metrics were calculated to support decision-making. Risk estimates in relation to clinical action thresholds were reviewed and used as the basis for draft recommendations. After an open comment period, recommendations were finalized and ratified through a vote by the Consensus Stakeholder Group. RESULTS: For triage of positive HPV results from screening with primary HPV testing (with or without genotyping) or with cytology cotesting, colposcopy is recommended for individuals testing DS-positive. One-year follow-up with HPV-based testing is recommended for individuals testing DS-negative, except for HPV16- and HPV18-positive results, or high-grade cytology in cotesting, where immediate colposcopy referral is recommended. Risk estimates were similar between the Kaiser Permanente Northern California and STudying Risk to Improve DisparitiES populations. In general, resource usage metrics suggest that compared with cytology, DS requires fewer colposcopies and detects cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Dual stain testing with CINtec PLUS Cytology is acceptable for triage of HPV-positive test results. Risk estimates are portable across different populations.

Attitudes toward the American Cancer Society's 2020 cervical cancer screening guidelines: A qualitative study of a national sample of US clinicians.

BACKGROUND: The 2020 American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines are the most recent national guidelines for cervical cancer screening. These guidelines propose two major changes from current practice: initiating screening at age 25 years and using primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Adoption of guidelines often occurs slowly, and therefore understanding clinician attitudes is important to facilitate practice change. METHODS: Interviews with a national sample of clinicians who perform cervical cancer screening in a variety of settings explored attitudes toward the two major changes from the 2020 ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines. Clinicians participated in 30- to 60-min interviews exploring their attitudes toward various aspects of cervical cancer screening. Qualitative analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seventy clinicians participated from across the United States. Few respondents were initiating screening at age 25 years, and none were using primary HPV testing. However, over half would be willing to adopt these practices if supported by scientific evidence and recommended by professional medical organizations. Barriers to adoption included the lack of endorsement by professional societies, lack of laboratory availability and insurance coverage, limited autonomy within large health care systems, and concerns related to missed disease. CONCLUSIONS: Few clinicians have adopted screening initiation or primary HPV testing, as recommended by the 2020 ACS guidelines, but over half were open to adopting these changes. Implementation may be facilitated via professional organization endorsement, clinician education, and laboratory, health care system, and insurance support. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The main changes to current practices were to initiate screening at age 25 years instead of age 21 years and to screen using primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing rather than cytology alone or in combination with HPV testing. We performed in-depth interviews with 70 obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and internal medicine physicians and advanced practice providers about their attitudes toward these guidelines. Few clinicians are following the 2020 ACS guidelines, but over half were open to changing practice if the changes were supported by evidence and recommended by professional medical organizations. Barriers to adoption included the lack of endorsement by professional medical organizations, logistical issues, and concerns about missed disease.

Enduring Consensus Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management: Introduction to the Scope and Process.

OBJECTIVES: The Enduring Consensus Cervical Cancer Screening and Management Guidelines (Enduring Guidelines) effort is a standing committee to continuously evaluate new technologies and approaches to cervical cancer screening, management, and surveillance. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Enduring Guidelines process will selectively incorporate new technologies and approaches with adequate supportive data to more effectively improve cancer prevention for high-risk individuals and decrease unnecessary procedures in low-risk individuals. This manuscript describes the structure, process, and methods of the Enduring Guidelines effort. Using systematic literature reviews and primary data sources, risk of precancer will be estimated and recommendations will be made based on risk estimates in the context of established risk-based clinical action thresholds. The Enduring Guidelines process will consider health equity and health disparities by assuring inclusion of diverse populations in the evidence review and risk assessment and by developing recommendations that provide a choice of well-validated strategies that can be adapted to different settings. CONCLUSIONS: The Enduring Guidelines process will allow updating existing cervical cancer screening and management guidelines rapidly when new technologies are approved or new scientific evidence becomes available.

Factors Associated With Guideline-concordant and Excessive Cervical Cancer Screening: A Mixed Methods Study.

INTRODUCTION: National guidelines recommend cervical cancer screening with Papanicolaou (Pap) testing at 3-year intervals or with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing alone or HPV/Pap cotesting at 5-year intervals for average-risk individuals aged 30-65 years. METHODS: We explored factors associated with clinician-reported guideline-concordant screening, as well as facilitators and barriers to appropriate cervical cancer screening. RESULTS: A national sample of clinicians (N = 1,251) completed surveys; a subset (n = 55) completed interviews. Most (94%) reported that they screened average-risk patients aged 30-65 years with cotesting. Nearly all clinicians who were categorized as nonadherent to national guidelines were overscreening (98%). Guideline concordant screening was reported by 47% and 82% of those using cotesting and HPV testing, respectively (5-year intervals), and by 62% of those using Pap testing only (3-year intervals). Concordant screening was reported more often by clinicians who were aged <40 years, non-Hispanic, and practicing in the West or Midwest, and less often by obstetrician-gynecologists and private practice physicians. Concordant screening was facilitated by beliefs that updated guidelines were evidence-based and reduced harms, health care system dissemination of guidelines, and electronic medical record prompts. Barriers to concordant screening included using outdated guidelines, relying on personal judgment, concern about missing cancers, inappropriate patient risk assessment, and lack of support for guideline adoption through health care systems or electronic medical records. CONCLUSIONS: Most clinicians screened with Pap/HPV cotesting and approximately one-half endorsed a 5-year screening interval. Clinician knowledge gaps include understanding the evidence underlying 5-year intervals and appropriate risk assessment to determine which patients should be screened more frequently. Education and tracking systems can promote guideline-concordant screening.

Attitudes Toward Routine Vaccines and COVID-19 Vaccines Among Parents of Infants and Toddlers in an Urban Safety-Net Setting.

This study explores attitudes toward diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), influenza, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines among English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parents of infants in a safety-net setting. Parents aged 18 years or older were recruited from outpatient clinics between December 2020 and December 2021. The interviews were then recorded, transcribed, translated, and qualitatively analyzed using the modified grounded theory. Thirty-two individuals participated (18 English-speaking and 14 Spanish-speaking). Almost all supported receiving routine childhood vaccines, DTaP, influenza, and MMR and believed that vaccines promote health. Vaccine concerns differed by each vaccine. Few participants expressed concerns about DTaP and MMR vaccines. Concerns around influenza vaccines often stemmed from personal experience and perceived increased risk of flu-like illnesses. Participants expressed the most concerns related to COVID-19 vaccinations, including age-based immunity of their infants. Based on these findings, future interventions to improve vaccine uptake may focus on benefits common to all vaccines, while addressing vaccine-specific concerns.

Design of the HPV-automated visual evaluation (PAVE) study: Validating a novel cervical screening strategy.

Background: The HPV-automated visual evaluation (PAVE) Study is an extensive, multinational initiative designed to advance cervical cancer prevention in resource-constrained regions. Cervical cancer disproportionally affects regions with limited access to preventive measures. PAVE aims to assess a novel screening-triage-treatment strategy integrating self-sampled HPV testing, deep-learning-based automated visual evaluation (AVE), and targeted therapies. Methods: Phase 1 efficacy involves screening up to 100,000 women aged 25-49 across nine countries, using self-collected vaginal samples for hierarchical HPV evaluation: HPV16, else HPV18/45, else HPV31/33/35/52/58, else HPV39/51/56/59/68 else negative. HPV-positive individuals undergo further evaluation, including pelvic exams, cervical imaging, and biopsies. AVE algorithms analyze images, assigning risk scores for precancer, validated against histologic high-grade precancer. Phase 1, however, does not integrate AVE results into patient management, contrasting them with local standard care.Phase 2 effectiveness focuses on deploying AVE software and HPV genotype data in real-time clinical decision-making, evaluating feasibility, acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and health communication of the PAVE strategy in practice. Results: Currently, sites have commenced fieldwork, and conclusive results are pending. Conclusions: The study aspires to validate a screen-triage-treat protocol utilizing innovative biomarkers to deliver an accurate, feasible, and cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer prevention in resource-limited areas. Should the study validate PAVE, its broader implementation could be recommended, potentially expanding cervical cancer prevention worldwide. Funding: The consortial sites are responsible for their own study costs. Research equipment and supplies, and the NCI-affiliated staff are funded by the National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Program including supplemental funding from the Cancer Cures Moonshot Initiative. No commercial support was obtained. Brian Befano was supported by NCI/ NIH under Grant T32CA09168.

Artificial intelligence-based image analysis in clinical testing: lessons from cervical cancer screening.

Novel screening and diagnostic tests based on artificial intelligence (AI) image recognition algorithms are proliferating. Some initial reports claim outstanding accuracy followed by disappointing lack of confirmation, including our own early work on cervical screening. This is a presentation of lessons learned, organized as a conceptual step-by-step approach to bridge the gap between the creation of an AI algorithm and clinical efficacy. The first fundamental principle is specifying rigorously what the algorithm is designed to identify and what the test is intended to measure (eg, screening, diagnostic, or prognostic). Second, designing the AI algorithm to minimize the most clinically important errors. For example, many equivocal cervical images cannot yet be labeled because the borderline between cases and controls is blurred. To avoid a misclassified case-control dichotomy, we have isolated the equivocal cases and formally included an intermediate, indeterminate class (severity order of classes: case>indeterminate>control). The third principle is evaluating AI algorithms like any other test, using clinical epidemiologic criteria. Repeatability of the algorithm at the borderline, for indeterminate images, has proven extremely informative. Distinguishing between internal and external validation is also essential. Linking the AI algorithm results to clinical risk estimation is the fourth principle. Absolute risk (not relative) is the critical metric for translating a test result into clinical use. Finally, generating risk-based guidelines for clinical use that match local resources and priorities is the last principle in our approach. We are particularly interested in applications to lower-resource settings to address health disparities. We note that similar principles apply to other domains of AI-based image analysis for medical diagnostic testing.

Screening for lung cancer: 2023 guideline update from the American Cancer Society.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality and person-years of life lost from cancer among US men and women. Early detection has been shown to be associated with reduced lung cancer mortality. Our objective was to update the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2013 lung cancer screening (LCS) guideline for adults at high risk for lung cancer. The guideline is intended to provide guidance for screening to health care providers and their patients who are at high risk for lung cancer due to a history of smoking. The ACS Guideline Development Group (GDG) utilized a systematic review of the LCS literature commissioned for the US Preventive Services Task Force 2021 LCS recommendation update; a second systematic review of lung cancer risk associated with years since quitting smoking (YSQ); literature published since 2021; two Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network-validated lung cancer models to assess the benefits and harms of screening; an epidemiologic and modeling analysis examining the effect of YSQ and aging on lung cancer risk; and an updated analysis of benefit-to-radiation-risk ratios from LCS and follow-up examinations. The GDG also examined disease burden data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Formulation of recommendations was based on the quality of the evidence and judgment (incorporating values and preferences) about the balance of benefits and harms. The GDG judged that the overall evidence was moderate and sufficient to support a strong recommendation for screening individuals who meet the eligibility criteria. LCS in men and women aged 50-80 years is associated with a reduction in lung cancer deaths across a range of study designs, and inferential evidence supports LCS for men and women older than 80 years who are in good health. The ACS recommends annual LCS with low-dose computed tomography for asymptomatic individuals aged 50-80 years who currently smoke or formerly smoked and have a ≥20 pack-year smoking history (strong recommendation, moderate quality of evidence). Before the decision is made to initiate LCS, individuals should engage in a shared decision-making discussion with a qualified health professional. For individuals who formerly smoked, the number of YSQ is not an eligibility criterion to begin or to stop screening. Individuals who currently smoke should receive counseling to quit and be connected to cessation resources. Individuals with comorbid conditions that substantially limit life expectancy should not be screened. These recommendations should be considered by health care providers and adults at high risk for lung cancer in discussions about LCS. If fully implemented, these recommendations have a high likelihood of significantly reducing death and suffering from lung cancer in the United States.

2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines: Updates Through 2023.

ABSTRACT: This Research Letter summarizes all updates to the 2019 Guidelines through September 2023, including: endorsement of the 2021 Opportunistic Infections guidelines for HIV+ or immunosuppressed patients; clarification of use of human papillomavirus testing alone for patients undergoing observation for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2; revision of unsatisfactory cytology management; clarification that 2012 guidelines should be followed for patients aged 25 years and older screened with cytology only; management of patients for whom colposcopy was recommended but not completed; clarification that after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+, 3 negative human papillomavirus tests or cotests at 6, 18, and 30 months are recommended before the patient can return to a 3-year testing interval; and clarification of postcolposcopy management of minimally abnormal results.

Reproducible and clinically translatable deep neural networks for cervical screening.

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with approximately 90% of the 250,000 deaths per year occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Secondary prevention with cervical screening involves detecting and treating precursor lesions; however, scaling screening efforts in LMIC has been hampered by infrastructure and cost constraints. Recent work has supported the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) pipeline on digital images of the cervix to achieve an accurate and reliable diagnosis of treatable precancerous lesions. In particular, WHO guidelines emphasize visual triage of women testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) as the primary screen, and AI could assist in this triage task. In this work, we implemented a comprehensive deep-learning model selection and optimization study on a large, collated, multi-geography, multi-institution, and multi-device dataset of 9462 women (17,013 images). We evaluated relative portability, repeatability, and classification performance. The top performing model, when combined with HPV type, achieved an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.89 within our study population of interest, and a limited total extreme misclassification rate of 3.4%, on held-aside test sets. Our model also produced reliable and consistent predictions, achieving a strong quadratic weighted kappa (QWK) of 0.86 and a minimal %2-class disagreement (% 2-Cl. D.) of 0.69%, between image pairs across women. Our work is among the first efforts at designing a robust, repeatable, accurate and clinically translatable deep-learning model for cervical screening.

Design of the HPV-Automated Visual Evaluation (PAVE) Study: Validating a Novel Cervical Screening Strategy.

Objective: To describe the HPV-Automated Visual Evaluation (PAVE) Study, an international, multi-centric study designed to evaluate a novel cervical screen-triage-treat strategy for resource-limited settings as part of a global strategy to reduce cervical cancer burden. The PAVE strategy involves: 1) screening with self-sampled HPV testing; 2) triage of HPV-positive participants with a combination of extended genotyping and visual evaluation of the cervix assisted by deep-learning-based automated visual evaluation (AVE); and 3) treatment with thermal ablation or excision (Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone). The PAVE study has two phases: efficacy (2023-2024) and effectiveness (planned to begin in 2024-2025). The efficacy phase aims to refine and validate the screen-triage portion of the protocol. The effectiveness phase will examine acceptability and feasibility of the PAVE strategy into clinical practice, cost-effectiveness, and health communication within the PAVE sites. Study design: Phase 1 Efficacy: Around 100,000 nonpregnant women, aged 25-49 years, without prior hysterectomy, and irrespective of HIV status, are being screened at nine study sites in resource-limited settings. Eligible and consenting participants perform self-collection of vaginal specimens for HPV testing using a FLOQSwab (Copan). Swabs are transported dry and undergo testing for HPV using a newly-redesigned isothermal DNA amplification HPV test (ScreenFire HPV RS), which has been designed to provide HPV genotyping by hierarchical risk groups: HPV16, else HPV18/45, else HPV31/33/35/52/58, else HPV39/51/56/59/68. HPV-negative individuals are considered negative for precancer/cancer and do not undergo further testing. HPV-positive individuals undergo pelvic examination with collection of cervical images and targeted biopsies of all acetowhite areas or endocervical sampling in the absence of visible lesions. Accuracy of histology diagnosis is evaluated across all sites. Cervical images are used to refine a deep learning AVE algorithm that classifies images as normal, indeterminate, or precancer+. AVE classifications are validated against the histologic endpoint of high-grade precancer determined by biopsy. The combination of HPV genotype and AVE classification is used to generate a risk score that corresponds to the risk of precancer (lower, medium, high, highest). During the efficacy phase, clinicians and patients within the PAVE sites will receive HPV testing results but not AVE results or risk scores. Treatment during the efficacy phase will be performed per local standard of care: positive Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid impression, high-grade colposcopic impression or CIN2+ on colposcopic biopsy, HPV positivity, or HPV 16,18/45 positivity. Follow up of triage negative patients and post treatment will follow standard of care protocols. The sensitivity of the PAVE strategy for detection of precancer will be compared to current SOC at a given level of specificity.Phase 2 Effectiveness: The AVE software will be downloaded to the new dedicated image analysis and thermal ablation devices (Liger Iris) into which the HPV genotype information can be entered to provide risk HPV-AVE risk scores for precancer to clinicians in real time. The effectiveness phase will examine clinician use of the PAVE strategy in practice, including feasibility and acceptability for clinicians and patients, cost-effectiveness, and health communication within the PAVE sites. Conclusion: The goal of the PAVE study is to validate a screen-triage-treat protocol using novel biomarkers to provide an accurate, feasible, cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer prevention in resource-limited settings. If validated, implementation of PAVE at larger scale can be encouraged. Funding: The consortial sites are responsible for their own study costs. Research equipment and supplies, and the NCI-affiliated staff are funded by the National Cancer Institute Intramural Research Program including supplemental funding from the Cancer Cures Moonshot Initiative. No commercial support was obtained. Brian Befano was supported by NCI/NIH under Grant T32CA09168. Date of protocol latest review: September 24 th 2023.

Examining the perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening practices among clinicians practicing in Federally Qualified Health Centers: A mixed methods study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to reductions in cervical cancer screening and colposcopy. Therefore, in this mixed methods study we explored perceived pandemic-related practice changes to cervical cancer screenings in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Methods: Between October 2021 and June 2022, we conducted a national web survey of clinicians (physicians and advanced practice providers) who performed cervical cancer screening in FQHCs in the United States during the post-acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a sub-set of qualitative interviews via video conference, to examine perceived changes in cervical cancer screening practices during the pandemic. Results: A total of 148 clinicians completed surveys; a subset (n=13) completed qualitative interviews. Most (86%) reported reduced cervical cancer screening early in the pandemic, and 28% reported continued reduction in services at the time of survey completion (October 2021- July 2022). Nearly half (45%) reported staff shortages impacting their ability to screen or track patients. Compared to clinicians in Obstetrics/Gynecology/Women's health, those in family medicine and other specialties more often reported reduced screening compared to pre-pandemic. Most (92%) felt that screening using HPV self-sampling would be very or somewhat helpful to address screening backlogs. Qualitative interviews highlighted the impacts of staff shortages and strategies for improvement. Conclusions: Findings highlight that in late 2021 and early 2022, many clinicians in FQHCs reported reduced cervical cancer screening and of pandemic-related staffing shortages impacting screening and follow-up. If not addressed, reduced screenings among underserved populations could worsen cervical cancer disparities in the future. Funding: This study was funded by the American Cancer Society, who had no role in the study's design, conduct, or reporting.

Examining the association of clinician characteristics with perceived changes in cervical cancer screening and colposcopy practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods assessment.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to reductions in cervical cancer screening and colposcopy. Therefore, in this mixed method study we explored perceived pandemic-related practice changes to cervical cancer screenings and colposcopies. Methods: In 2021, a national sample of 1251 clinicians completed surveys, including 675 clinicians who performed colposcopy; a subset (n=55) of clinicians completed qualitative interviews. Results: Nearly half of all clinicians reported they were currently performing fewer cervical cancer screenings (47%) and colposcopies (44% of those who perform the procedure) than before the pandemic. About one-fifth (18.6%) of colposcopists reported performing fewer LEEPs than prior to the pandemic. Binomial regression analyses indicated that older, as well as internal medicine and family medicine clinicians (compared to OB-GYNs), and those practicing in community health centers (compared to private practice) had higher odds of reporting reduced screening. Among colposcopists, internal medicine physicians and those practicing in community health centers had higher odds of reporting reduced colposcopies. Qualitative interviews highlighted pandemic-related care disruptions and lack of tracking systems to identify overdue screenings. Conclusions: Reductions in cervical cancer screening and colposcopy among nearly half of clinicians more than 1 year into the pandemic raise concerns that inadequate screening and follow-up will lead to future increases in preventable cancers. Funding: This study was funded by the American Cancer Society, who had no role in the study's design, conduct, or reporting.

Deciphering Knowledge and Opinions of Human Papillomavirus and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Facilitation of Point-of-Care Vaccination in Adults.

Importance: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates remain significantly below rates for other common childhood vaccines, which has implications for future rates of HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Objective: To assess whether individuals who were aware of the association between HPV and OPSCC would be more likely to have been previously vaccinated. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study included patients aged 18 to 45 years who sought routine outpatient care at the otolaryngology clinic at Boston Medical Center from September 1, 2020, to May 19, 2021. A survey (HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology, Awareness and Demographics) [HEAD]) composed of validated questions to assess patient knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination and barriers to vaccination was delivered to participants. The survey was paired with a novel point-of-care vaccination program housed within an otolaryngology department. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcome was prevalence of knowledge of the relationship between HPV infection and OPSCC based on survey responses. The association of knowledge of HPV-associated OPSCC with likelihood of having been vaccinated was assessed in the overall cohort and by demographic characteristics using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of 405 patients given the survey, 288 (71.1%) responded. Of these patients, 271 (94.1%) had surveys included; 158 (58.3%) were female, and median age was 29 years (IQR, 24-35 years). The baseline vaccination rate in the surveyed population was low (26.6%; n = 72) overall (10.6% among men [12 of 113]; 37.9% among women [60 of 158]). Few participants understood the relationship between HPV infection and OPSCC (63 of 271 [23.3%]) or that HPV-associated OPSCC is the most common HPV-associated cancer type (9 of 121 [7.4%]). Compared with men, women were more likely to have been previously vaccinated (odds ratio [OR], 6.5; 95% CI, 3.0-13.9), more aware that HPV causes cancer (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.9-7.1), and more likely to have heard about HPV and HPV vaccination from their health care practitioner (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.7). Knowledge of the relationship between HPV infection and cancer and between HPV and OPSCC was associated with increased likelihood of having been vaccinated (HPV and cancer: OR, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.8-9.5]; HPV and OPSCC: OR, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.8-7.6]). Among 156 unvaccinated participants, 12 of 98 men (12.2%) and 7 of 131 women (5.3%) received point-of-care vaccination. Conclusions: Most participants in this survey study were unaware that HPV causes OPSCC. Understanding that HPV causes OPSCC was associated with increased likelihood of having been vaccinated. However, most patients surveyed were not informed of this relationship by their health care practitioners. Targeted education aimed at unvaccinated adults establishing the relationship between HPV infection and OPSCC, paired with point-of-care vaccination, may be an innovative strategy for increasing HPV vaccination rates in adults.

Cervical Cancer Screening: A Review.

Importance: Each year in the US, approximately 100 000 people are treated for cervical precancer, 14 000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 4000 die of cervical cancer. Observations: Essentially all cervical cancers worldwide are caused by persistent infections with one of 13 carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68. HPV vaccination at ages 9 through 12 years will likely prevent more than 90% of cervical precancers and cancers. In people with a cervix aged 21 through 65 years, cervical cancer is prevented by screening for and treating cervical precancer, defined as high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. High-grade lesions can progress to cervical cancer if not treated. Cervicovaginal HPV testing is 90% sensitive for detecting precancer. In the general population, the risk of precancer is less than 0.15% over 5 years following a negative HPV test result. Among people with a positive HPV test result, a combination of HPV genotyping and cervical cytology (Papanicolaou testing) can identify the risk of precancer. For people with current precancer risks of less than 4%, repeat HPV testing is recommended in 1, 3, or 5 years depending on 5-year precancer risk. For people with current precancer risks of 4% through 24%, such as those with low-grade cytology test results (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC-US] or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL]) and a positive HPV test of unknown duration, colposcopy is recommended. For patients with precancer risks of less than 25% (eg, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 [CIN1] or histologic LSIL), treatment-related adverse effects, including possible association with preterm labor, can be reduced by repeating colposcopy to monitor for precancer and avoiding excisional treatment. For patients with current precancer risks of 25% through 59% (eg, high-grade cytology results of ASC cannot exclude high-grade lesion [ASC-H] or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL] with positive HPV test results), management consists of colposcopy with biopsy or excisional treatment. For those with current precancer risks of 60% or more, such as patients with HPV-16-positive HSIL, proceeding directly to excisional treatment is preferred, but performing a colposcopy first to confirm the need for excisional treatment is acceptable. Clinical decision support tools can facilitate correct management. Conclusions and Relevance: Approximately 100 000 people are treated for cervical precancer each year in the US to prevent cervical cancer. People with a cervix should be screened with HPV testing, and if HPV-positive, genotyping and cytology testing should be performed to assess the risk of cervical precancer and determine the need for colposcopy or treatment. HPV vaccination in adolescence will likely prevent more than 90% of cervical precancers and cancers.